Miami, Florida is one of the hottest travel destinations in the United States today. Whether traveling to Miami for business or pleasure, the city has something to offer for everyone. The area is well known for its nightlife, beautiful beaches, and cultural activities. There’s no end to the amazing restaurants, shopping, and recreational experiences. Getting familiar with the public transportation options before arriving will make the most of the time spent in Miami.

There are many options for public transportation in the Miami metropolitan area such as the Metrorail, Metromover, and the bus service Metrobus. If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to wait for public transportation Yellow Taxi Miami can get you where you need to go. Using Miami’s public transportation system or taxicab services is a fun way to see the city and save money on parking and avoid the hassle of renting a car.

Here’s an overview of the public transportation systems available in Miami:

Metrorail – Miami’s two track elevated rail system is a fast ride to many parts of the city, and a great way to get to and from the airport. The rail system operates from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. The fare starts at $2.25 depending on the destination. Tickets are available to purchase at the stations or on their website and are rechargeable. It’s important to note that the Metrorail does not take cash so be prepared with a ticket purchase. The Metrorail has a dedicated line called the Orange Line that goes straight to the airport. Other Metrorail lines have stations at popular destinations such as Hialeah, the downtown area, South Miami, and Jackson Memorial Hospital. There are major transportation hubs such as the Miami Intermodal Center that also provides transport to the airport. There are taxicab services at each Metrorail station for a comfortable ride to wherever the next destination is.

Metromover – next up is the city’s electric rail system. It is automated and free; however, it runs in the downtown area only. The Metromover also runs from 5 a.m. to midnight every day. Its 4.4-mile track frequents popular downtown locations such as the Miami-Dade College, American Airlines Arena, the Bayside Market, and the Miami-Dade County School Board. The Metromover runs every three minutes except during rush hour when it runs every 90 seconds. The trains do not offer seating except for the elderly and disabled passengers, so be prepared to stand. The Metromover can get crowded during rush hour. Calling a cab is always a great way to travel after a long day of sightseeing or business meetings.

Metrobus – Miami’s bus service provides access to 95 bus routes that connect to every part of the city. Their online trip planner is the most efficient way to map out a destination, as well as check the pick up and drop off times. It’s important to check the bus schedules to see when they stop running since there are only a few bus lines that run all night. If the bus stops running, calling taxi services in Miami is always a great and safe option. Nobody wants to get stuck in an unfamiliar location after dark, so keep a taxi service phone number handy. The fare is $2.25 per ride including transfers and can be paid either in cash or with an EASY card or EASY ticket. Bus stops are marked with green signs. Always pay attention to the electronic display on the front of the bus to make sure it’s the right one or check with the driver. The Metrobus connects to many other Miami-Dade County transportation systems such as Tri-Rail, Broward County, the City of Aventura, and the City of Miami Trolley service.

City of Miami Trolley – this is an exciting way to way to travel through some areas of Miami if time is not an issue. The trolley travels through some of Miami’s most interesting areas including the Design District, Coconut Grove, Marlins Stadium, and downtown. There are four trolley loops that cover different areas of the city: North Beach, South Beach, Middle Beach, and the Collins Express loop. All rides are free and run approximately every 20 minutes. The trolley service runs seven days a week with limited service for holidays. Most trolleys are scheduled to run Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.although some lines stop running as early as 7 p.m. The weekend hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with no service on certain lines. Don’t forget that professional taxi services in Miami are available day or night wherever they are needed.

Yellow Taxi Miami – Miami’s number one taxi service, we are here to make transportation in Miami easy for every traveler. Our company has been providing top quality rides for over 20 years and we are available any time of the day or night. We can pick up groups of riders large or small throughout the city. Our reputation in the Miami area comes from providing our customers with efficient service, safe drivers, and a comfortable ride. We hire only the best taxi drivers who know their way around the city and provide the best in customer service and satisfaction. We maintain our fleet of taxis and are fully insured and licensed. Yellow Taxi Miami serves destinations all over Miami and beyond. Our drivers service the following areas in South Florida:

There’s no doubt that Miami is a big city with many exciting places to see. That’s why calling a reliable service like ours is the best choice for every destination. Our knowledgeable drivers allow travelers to sit back and enjoy the ride knowing that they will reach the next location relaxed and ready for whatever comes next. Call us today for the best transportation option in Miami.

It’s called vomit fraud. And it could make your Uber trip really expensive

A new form of Uber fraudulence is on the rise. It’s known as vomit fraud, and it can result in extra charges of anywhere from $80 to $150 dollars to your Uber bill. Fraudulent Uber claims are growing in frequency as Uber drivers become savvier when it comes to gaming the system, and Uber has been slow to react to this problem.

What is Vomit Fraud?

Vomit fraud is the practice by which an Uber driver will submit a claim to Uber that a passenger vomited onto the seats or other hard-to-clean area of the car while receiving a ride. This will cause Uber to tack on an additional charge directly billed to the passenger.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for passengers to contest these charges, and Uber has been slow to react to the increase in the number of fraudulent claims of this nature.

Uber’s Policy on Spills and Vomit

Uber has a policy by which drivers are compensated for a passenger spilling a drink or any substance or vomiting onto a seat or hard-to-clean area of their card. The default compensation is $80, but a driver may put in a claim for $150 in the case where significant quantities of bodily fluid such as vomit or urine spills into the vehicle.

In order for Uber to honor a claim, the driver must send Uber photographic evidence of the spill, stain or vomit. Once they’ve submitted the proof, Uber will add an additional charge to the passenger’s tab, which is automatically deducted via credit card or debit card.

This policy is understandable, given that people frequently use Uber and other ride sharing programs while inebriated, leading to situations where someone does legitimately make a mess in the car. However, unscrupulous Uber drivers have figured out that this policy can be exploited.

The Mechanics of Vomit Fraud

An Uber driver engaged in vomit fraud will have a picture of their car that ‘proves’ that a spill or vomit has occurred. This picture might be from a previous time when someone really did vomit in the car, or it might be staged entirely.

The driver will pick up a ride and drive that passenger to their destination. After dropping the passenger off, the driver will submit a false claim with their bogus photograph to Uber. Uber will credit the driver’s claim and charge the passenger for a mishap he or she isn’t responsible for.

Once a claim has been credited, Uber is extremely reluctant to reverse the charge even when informed by the passenger that it’s a fraudulent charge.

The Difficulty of Fighting Vomit Fraud

Uber has proven to be reluctant to reverse charges of these kind once a driver has submitted ‘proof’. It seems that their policy is that once the driver has given evidence, it’s most likely that the passenger is lying to try to avoid the charge. This is the stance that fraudulent drivers are counting on to make vomit fraud work as a scam.

Passengers have reported having to make multiple help requests and reports to Uber stating that they didn’t vomit in the car before any action is taken. Some have managed to have the charge reversed eventually, though only after multiple contacts and phone calls with Uber.

Others weren’t able to get the charges reversed at all. In at least one case, Uber refused to reverse the charges, the passenger had her credit card company deny the charge, causing Uber to cancel the passenger’s account with Uber. Nightmare stories include an instance where a man was hit with two fraudulent vomit charges in the same night.

Regardless of whether a passenger is able to eventually get a vomit charge reversed, the process is guaranteed to be time consuming and frustrating, with passengers frequently being shuttled between different customer representatives requiring them to tell the story from the beginning multiple times.

In addition, Uber won’t give any special notification of a vomit charge, meaning if a person isn’t vigilant about checking their credit card statement or bank account summary, they may not even notice the charge to begin with.

A Pattern of Fraud

The vomit fraud scam is the fastest growing Uber fraud type at the moment, in large part because of how lucrative it is for scammers. However, it’s far from the only way in which Uber drivers have become adept at gaming the Uber system for their benefit.

A longstanding Uber scam is drivers taking an order, not picking up the passenger, and reporting to Uber that they picked up and delivered the passenger to his or her location. Again, resolving a dispute of this nature is frustrating and time consuming. Some Uber drivers have even combined the vomit fraud with the no-show ride claim.

Often times, these Uber drivers tend to look for a profile of a certain type of person to exploit with these types of tactics and scams. Tourists in particular are vulnerable to Uber scams, as being in an unfamiliar area while on vacation tends to lessen vigilance and present a more attractive target to scammers.

While visiting the city of Miami, it’s wise to be aware of some of the perils of Uber and other ride sharing companies. The bottom line is that all the drivers are independent contractors with very little investment into the company for which they drive. Most drivers will adhere to the rules, but the bad apples face few consequences for fraudulent behavior. And Uber and other ride sharing programs have demonstrated a pattern of siding with their drivers over passengers in situations where an incident is disputed.

The Uber Alternative

Traditional, professional taxicab services have the advantage of employing drivers with far more accountability and professionalism than Uber and other ride sharing companies offer. The ride sharing market is somewhat of a Wild West when it comes to the pool of drivers and the connection between the parent company and their contractors. By comparison, taxicab services keep much closer tabs on their drivers and can guarantee more in the way of quality assurance.

At reasonable prices, the taxi passenger has more peace of mind in knowing that drivers are held to a uniform standard in terms of their honesty and decorum. Ride sharing programs have certainly become popular over the past few years, but there’s a reason the taxi has been the go-to means of city transportation for the past 80 years or so.

Yellow Taxi Miami offers taxi services in Miami with competitive prices and a guarantee that its drivers are seasoned professionals who conduct themselves with integrity and class.

If you’re visiting Miami for the first time, Yellow Taxi Miami is a service that you can count on to get you wherever you need to go in a timely manner and with your safety as our number one priority. If you’re looking for taxi services in Miami, give us a call and schedule a ride whenever you need one.

Ten Best Beaches In Miami, Florida

Miami is a slice of paradise with not only beautiful people to look at but sunny beaches and crystal clear waters. This city is known as one of the best taken care of in the United States. Miami is lively, vibrant, and culturally diverse that attracts high-end tourism every year. The beaches rank among the top stretches of shoreline in the world. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or socialize, here is a list of Miami, Florida’s top ten beaches that can’t be missed.

1. Lummus Park Beach

Considered the mother of all beaches, Lummus Park Beach has a charm that can’t be denied. New Time readers voted it the Best Beach in 2017. Located in the Art Deco Historic District, out-of-towners flock here for that postcard-perfect photography. You can partake in beach volleyball, jogging, and cycling down the palm tree-lined streets to the bright blue waters. Lummus Park Beach is conveniently located within walking distance of 4-star restaurants, cafe’s, and specialty shops.

2. Haulover Beach Park

Another Miami winner in 2018, Haulover Beach Park is a 1.4 mile stretch of pristine white sand where you can swim or sunbathe in the nude. There are also dog-friendly areas where your pup can frolic in the surf. Haulover Beach Park has a significant number of picnic areas, a tennis court, and a nine-hole golf course. The beach hosts kite-making workshops that you can fly in a grassy area overlooking Biscayne Bay. There are wheelchairs available on the beach for rent and pedestrian tunnels that connect the park to the marina.

3. North Beach

North Beach is immaculately clean, laid-back, and low-key. You can expect a day of relaxation at its most luxurious. The only downside is there is a lack of variety when it comes to dining. At night time, you can head over to North Beach Bandshell to listen to live music under the stars. Shuckers is a favorite among locals on the water for appetizers, beer, and watching live sports. It’s a hot spot to meet up with friends and take in the Miami experience. North Beach is so quiet and serene you will feel like you’re on another planet. The boardwalk winds its way up to Surfside giving you plenty of space to spread out.

4. South Pointe Park

The recently renovated pier at South Pointe Park offers stunning views of the shoreline. There is a sidewalk for lounging, jogging, or people watching, and a children’s playground with water features. South Pointe Park has a pier for fishing and easy access to the beach. This 17-acre park went through a $5 million renovation and now offers stations for washing fish, recycling fishing line, and cutting bait. At the end of your day, enjoy USDA prime dry-aged steaks and premium seafood at Smith and Wollensky’s.

5. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

This is the perfect beach when you need to get-away during a weekday for complete seclusion. There are plenty of picnic tables and tiki umbrellas to lounge like a celebrity. The Virginia Key Outdoor Center has paddleboards, bikes, and kayaks available for rental. Historic Virginia Beach Park has vending machines on site, concession stands for food and beverages, and barbeque grills throughout for parties and picnics.

6. Surfside Beach

Surfside is considered Miami’s upscale beach scene. High-rise condos and 5-star hotels surround it. Surfside is a small town with only 6,000 residents and is full of character. Its vision is community focused on tourism, local businesses, and residents. The sprawling beach draws in people from all over the world who want to experience Miami without the crowds.

7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Known to the locals as “El Farito,” Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can catch a glimpse of Miami’s oldest standing structure the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. This hidden oasis provides a lot of fun and relaxation for the whole family. You can ride through the park on quad bikes, fish along the seawalls, hike through the mangrove wetlands, and grab a bite at the Lighthouse Café.

8. Hobie Beach

Hobie Beach is Miami’s favorite dog-friendly stretches. Its shallow waters make it safe and secure for pets to have their own fun. Many love to lounge under the palm trees while sipping fresh lemonade from the concession stands. There are catamaran rentals available where you can take in fantastic views of the Rickenbacker Causeway. Hobie Beach is a favorite spot for windsurfing and hosts a locally run windsurfing rental stand for over twenty years. Two-hour lessons or all-day group lessons will help you become a pro in no time.

9. Crandon Park

Crandon Park is a well-known destination for family parties and special gatherings. Those who love to grill enjoy hosting cookouts at the beachfront picnic areas. You can smell the food for miles from this family-friendly vacation spot. Adjacent to the park are cabana rentals, kayak rentals, a golf course, picnic shelters, an amusement center, and nature tours. Visitors can explore the various ecosystems including the seagrass beds, dunes, coastal hammock, and mangroves. You will experience rare and beautiful plants, herons, ospreys, sea turtles, and hawks. The seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, shrimp, mangrove snapper, puffer fish, and sea stars.

10. Matheson Hammock Park

Another family-friendly beach that is a great place to relax under the palms. The Tenerife Reflecting Point offers stunning views of the Biscayne Bay. Matheson Hammock Park is an excellent spot for picnicking, kiteboarding, kayaking, and fishing. It is home to a man-made atoll pool which flushes naturally with the tidal action of Biscayne Bay. Matheson Hammock Park is ideal for families who want to enjoy safe waters, excellent views, and light breezes. The park has a full-service marina that includes a snack bar, nature trails, sailing and powerboat school, and picnic pavilions. At the end of your adventure, enjoy a romantic dinner on site at the Red Fish Grill. This first-class restaurant is located in the historic coral rock building and serves pasta, seafood, steak, and chicken nightly.